#maywalsh

My dearest sister,

I'm finally an adult. My birthday was delightful but I wished you were by my side. I played the piano for mom's family, they were all surprised by my ability. Then we danced all night, our little brother is, unexpectedly, a good dancer! Mother and father danced as well, they seemed so in love!

Dear sister, this is how life should be. I would love to play and dance forever. I must become a musician in order to attend the most luxurious parties, wearing wonderful dresses. I don't want to stay at home all day or marry a man who will tell me how to behave. 

They accepted me at the conservatory! I'm leaving in a few hours. I'll take the train for the first time in my life. Isn't this exciting? Father recommended me to stay away from boys, because they can be harmful. He told me the time to be in love has yet to come for me. If only he knew my heart was broken once already... don't tell him please! 

I've saved the best for last. My music school is not far from your university, we can see each other on our free days. Isn't this amazing?

with love,

Olive

Life in the military field was hard for Lawrie. It seemed that the other boys had begun to make friends. But he was too shy, he didn’t think that war would bring them glory, but only suffering. Lawrie stood aside, rarely talking. 

Between the soldiers, one boy seemed particularly lively. He was Jackson, Lawrie's childhood friend. Because of war they've stopped writing to each other. 

-Ehi, I know that awkward looking boy,- said Jackson before jumping on Lawrie back as a greeting.

                                                Part II under the cut

May had been avoiding Terrence all week, but one day he stopped her in town.

-After the party you ignored me, did something happen?- he asked.

-I just thought that our two worlds are too different Terrence. I too come from a whealty family but yours is way too rich. It intimidates me, I could never live like that,- May said.

-I'm ... sorry to hear that, - said Terrence with a trembling voice. -Then I guess this is a goodbye. I didn't propose to that girl, my parents are really angry at me. And tomorrow I'm leaving for the military service.-

At first, May could only watch Terrence's back getting away. Then she runned towards him, hugging his back, she didn't care if people would have seen that inappropriate behavior. Terrence returned the hug. 

-Does this mean that you will wait for me?- he asked her. May didn't answer with words, but with a kiss.

                                                Part II under the cut.

My dearest sister Olive,

I'm so glad that, thanks to father and my good grades, I was able to attend Foxbury Institute. As you may expect women here are pretty rare, especially in science faculty like mine. The university is big and austere, but autumnal colors are so beautiful here. It reminds me of Windenburg somehow. The house I'm staying in, is not that refine as you may think. It's old and messy, yet cosy.

I have three roommates. Cosette, with whom I'm sharing bedroom, is cheerful and gentle. Pilar is very quiet, sometimes paranoid, her expression is often troubled. My last roommates is Helga. She's always looking down on us, it's difficult to talk with her. However she's the tidiest and studious. Our housekeeper, Miss Black, is very severe. We have to be home by five in the afternoon, eat at seven, and be in bed at nine. Fortunately I have many books to read and this is enough for me.

How are your musical studies going? Hopefully you're getting better and better at playing the piano. Are mommy and daddy well? And our little brother?

Yours truly,

May

Gen 3 start - Next

Universities have closed due to the war. May didin’t want to go home, her desire was to become a doctor, unfortunately this would be impossible for her. However she could work as a nurse instead. Helga was just as sad to return home.

-Come with me, we can do something to help,- May said to her. 

The two girls rented a room in a very old and run-down pension, and easily found a job. May became a nurse, as she hoped for. Helga’s got a job in a military equipment factory.

                                                Part II under the cut

May was very tense on her first day of class. She was not surprised to see only male students in the classroom. May also saw a familiar face, Terrence. He nodded to her, but said nothing. May heard the other students whispering and glaring at her. "Enough with the talk, everybody take a seat" said the professor.

The next lesson was Anatomy. The professor stopped May at the entrance. "A woman cannot look at a naked body in the presence of men!" "I am a student too... I'm no less than anybody here" she protested. "You can study in the evening alone, if you wish," replied the professor, chasing her away. The other students laughted at her. Terrence's face was sad, but he did nothing.

May was walking alone, mortified. She would have to sneak out that night, in order to study anatomy. Suddenly she saw a procession of women dressed in white. She knew immediately that they were suffragettes. Between them, May recognized Helga. She was surprised to see her loner roommate, Helga was a brave girl for sure. She might even be kicked out of University for that.

Prev - Gen 3 start - Next

Loved sister of mine,

you'll never know how much joy your letter brings me. Yes, I'm concentrating in music. I'm preparing the entrance examination for the conservatory. Father and mother are well. Mother's cooking, knitting or reading all day. She loves to hear me play. Dad's always working on a new book. Lawrie is a little bit gloomy since we left for Windenburg, he's often writing letters to that friend of his. And, of course, he paints a lot. 

After all we are living a quiet life, however have you heard the news? There are rumors about an upcoming conflict between nations. Could you believe that? A war? Lawrie is scared he may be forced to enlist, but father said that a war is not going to happen. 

Dear sister, I cannot avoid the topic anymore. A few days ago, aunt Pauline wrote us a missive announcing that granfather Lawrence died in his sleep. The news saddened us deeply, and yet I thought that he was finally able to reunite with his beloved Florence. I'm sorry to end this letter with such a sad subject,

I hope to hear from you soon,

Your sister, Olive.

Gen 3 start - Next

As the war continued, Lawrie and Jackson had to fight as well. Lawrie was barely holding a rifle, he mostly hide behind Jackson, looking around with a lost expression. 

At some point, Lawrie saw the enemy approaching. -They're here!- he screamed.

-Call the others!- asked him Jackson.

But while running, a mortar shot detonated close to him. He was knocked unconscious.

Second part under the cut